Yogi Berra's Backup Catcher and 6-Time World Series Champion Yankee Passes Away at 94
By Parker White
It's hard to sit behind a legend and not see the field, which was the case for former New York Yankees catcher Charlie Silvera, who played in the Bronx from 1948-1956 and had Hall of Fame backstop Yogi Berra keeping him on the bench.
But what a career it was for Silvera.
Sadly, on Saturday in his home in Millbrae, California, the 94-year-old passed away.
Charlie Silvera averaged only 23 games per year backing up Yogi with the Yankees, and still ended up with 6 World Series rings. King. https://t.co/wlUYkF1NWi
— Andrew Mearns (@MearnsPSA) September 10, 2019
Silvera may have ridden the bench for most of his career, but at least he was a member of six World Series championship teams.
“I’m in the bullpen Hall of Fame,” he told The San Francisco Chronicle in 2008. “With those World Series checks, I didn’t have to work in the winter.”
Sad news. Charlie was a wonderful human. It wasn't easy to be the backup to a guy like Grampa who never needed backing up, but Charlie did it w/ grace, humor & dignity & the two were lifetime pals. Love to all the Silveras from all the Berras. #Yankeeshttps://t.co/0uVGetbY8c
— Lindsay Berra (@lindsayberra) September 10, 2019
Over his 10 MLB seasons, nine of which came with the Yankees, Silvera played in just 227 games. In 541 career plate appearances, Silvera slashed .282/.356/.328 with one home run and 52 RBI.
But he's got more rings than most of the game's greats. What a life well-led.